History

Following the death of Albus Dumbledore, his portrait was found hanging behind the chair of the Headmaster's desk, with its occupant asleep. It is not a mere copy of Dumbledore, unlike most other portraits but the subject,being Dumbledore, is painted accurately and is able to live inside the frame to a certain extent due to the fact that during Severus Snape's tenure as Headmaster, the portrait helped and advised the formerly and presumed now again Death Eater, appointed Headmaster, in aiding Harry Potter and his friends destroy Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. This included, but was not limited to telling Snape that he must give Godric Gryffindor's Sword, which was at the time concealed in a cavity behind the portrait, to Harry, though he did not tell him why.

After the death of the Dark Lord and the defeat and scattering of his forces, Harry Potter and his friends made their way to the Headmaster's office, and received tumultuous applause from the other Headmasters. Here, Harry had a brief discussion with the portrait about his plans for the Elder Wand, and his decision to leave the Resurrection Stone lost.

As Severus Snape's portrait was later hung, it can be assumed that Dumbledore's portrait was later moved down the line to make way for Snape's portrait to hang behind the desk.